Dakshina Kannada on high alert as rains continue to pound; 150 families evacuated

Mangaluru, Aug 16: Following to the heavy rainfall in coastal and other parts of Karnataka, 18 relief camps have been established and the over 700 persons have been rescued by the NDRF and SDRF personnel.

In Dakshina Kannada district alone around 150 families, mostly from low-lying areas have been shifted to safe locations as a precaution.

U T Khader, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister said that many of those families lived on the banks of the Netravathi. Of them, 110 families were in Uppinangady, 25 in Bantwal and 10 families at Kallapu near Thokkottu.

He said that the Netravathi, the Phalguni, the Kumaradhara and the Shambhavi were in spate due to heavy rain in the Western Ghats area covering Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts.

The Minister said that special nodal officers have been appointed to monitor the flood situation in 30 flood-prone places in the district. It included Kottara Chowki, Jeppinamogaru, Alake, Bejai, Aanegundi, Kallapu, Permannur, Malavoor, Adyapady, Panemangaluru, Jakribettu, Sarapady, Mulky, Valpady, Moodukonaje in Mangaluru and Bantwal taluks.

The other places are Shishila, Charmady, Venoor in Belthangady taluk; Uppinangady, Shirady, Baltila, Udane in Puttur taluk; Kukke Subrahmanya, Hosmata, Kunturu, Peraje, Alangaru, Bilinele and Nooji in Kadaba taluk.

In addition, each taluk had a nodal officer to monitor the situation. The Minister said that the district administration would seek a special package of Rs 100 crore from the government to address all damage caused by heavy rain.

Mr. Khader said that 11 persons have died in the district so far due to rain during this monsoon season. The sangama (confluence) of the Netravathi and the Kumaradhara took place at Uppinangady on Tuesday after the last one in 2013.

Meanwhile, Gangaram Baderiya, IAS, Relief Commissioner/Principal Secretary to Govt, Revenue Department (DM, Bhoomi, UPOR, Stamps & Registration) Govt. of Karnataka in his report of August 13, 14 and 15 said that Deputy Commissioners of Coastal and Malnad districts have taken measures by evacuating people residing in low lying area (vulnerable areas) to relief camp and deploying rescue teams at vulnerable areas based on advanced forecast given by KSNDMC and IMD.

According to the report, additional NDRF Teams and Fire Force with equipment from neighbouring districts have been rushed to Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

Strict vigil has been maintained in the dams and people residing in downstream area along the river course were warned in advance. Tasildhars and concerned revenue officers are camping in strategic location to swiftly respond to emergency. Proactive actions of Deputy Commissioners have ensured no causalities (as of now). State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) and DEOCs of Coastal and Malnad districts are activated and are functioning 24/7.

There is total coordination between DGP, Fire and Emergency, NDRF Commandanton deploying forces. On short notice, teams are deployed to vulnerable locations. Director, Department of Telecommunication, Govt. of India is constantly apprised on communication disruption, which is acted on and promptly restored, the report said.